SAINT MARY OF THE WOODS, Ind. - Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College softball (3-1) split its doubleheader with Oakland City University (1-3) this afternoon. Not having played a home softball game in over 675 days, game one was taken over by freshman Josie Lord who hit two home runs including a three-run walk-off in the bottom of the seventh inning to give SMWC the 6-4 victory.
In-game two, the Pomeroys bats stalled and the Mighty Oaks got the best of the Pomeroy pitching staff notching 12 hits.
Game #03 | vs. Oakland City University | W 6-4
Summer Rocha started her second collegiate game for the Pomeroys with an impressive five-strikeout performance. Behind Rocha was a stout defensive effort with many run-scoring plays made by both the infield and outfield. Brooke Coffing (1-0) was called upon in the sixth and earned the win for SMWC. Kaelee Moody, Jaselyn Conn, and Brooke Coffing, each doubled in the contest. Josie Lord would polish the game with two home runs and four RBI's. SMWC equally saw offensive output by Jilliann Reese, Ariel Spivey, Kelsey Young, and Faith Pokryfke. In the bottom of the seventh, Pokryfke and Reese started the rally down 4-3 on with singles before Lord cleared the bases with a walk-off home run! The Pomeroy would notch their third win of the season!
Pomeroy Player-of-the-Game: Josie Lord, whose walk-off 3-run homerun gave the Pomeroys the win. She finished the game hitting 4-4 with 4 RBIs and 2 homeruns.
Game #04 | vs. Oakland City University | L 4-0
Big-hitting by the Mighty Oaks made it difficult for SMWC to regain its footing in game two. The Pomeroys were making solid contact with the ball all game long but were unable to find any open grass. Caitlin Bowersock tallied two singles while Ariel Spivey, Faith Pokryfke, and Zoie Penn each added a single. Those served as the five hits SMWC would secure to the OCU's whopping 12 hits. Josie Lord saw most of the time on the rubber and OCU seemed to have had her timed up. Brooke Coffing would complete the game for SMWC. Lord suffered her first loss on the mound this season. In the bottom of the seventh inning, SMWC left bases loaded, and the rally fell short to fall 4-0.
Pomeroy Player-of-the-Game: Brooke Coffing, who despite the loss pitched 2.0 innings, striking out one and surrendering one hit.
On the Rubber
Summer Rocha (1-0) | 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO, 0 HR
Josie Lord (L, 1-1) | 5.0 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 S0, 1 HR
Brooke Coffing (W, 1-0) | 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR
Quote | Josie Lord
On what it felt like hitting her first collegiate home run AND walk-off home run...
"Hitting my first collegiate home run felt amazing! I hit three (3) home runs in batting practice yesterday and felt really good coming into today. I just wanted to come into today doing my best, doing everything I could for the team, and especially for it being our home opener. For the walk-off home run, I was patient and waited for a good pitch. I just wanted to bring the runners in to win the game. I knew immediately off the bat it was over the fence and was happy I could help bring my team to victory."
Quote Head Coach Jim Walker
On splitting with Oakland City University...
"Obviously we weren't happy with a split especially after winning game one in such an exciting fashion."
On who he believes had solid performances today...
"I was really impressed with how Brooke came in during both games and was very effective in keeping us close and giving us a chance to win both games."
"Josie is just a difference-maker in the middle of the lineup and no situation is too big for her."
On what the teams need to improve on...
"Our mental focus has to be better- we had stretches in both games that we just focused as much as I would like. And offensively we have to make better adjustments and have more quality at-bats."
"I give the girls a ton of credit for battling to the very last out though; in-game one we were able to pull it out and at least gave ourselves a chance in the last game by bringing the tying run to the plate."
Who's On Deck?
The Pomeroys will head to Missouri Baptist University on Friday, March 5th, before returning home for a weekend series against Concordia University-Ann Arbor.
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